Senior Editor

On 27 April 2017, the Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Ratification of Convention) Act 2017 received Royal Assent.

The Act makes provision in connection with the ratification by the UK of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (the Istanbul Convention).

The Convention targets violence against women and domestic violence. It sets out minimum standards on prevention, protection, prosecution and services and states that countries ratifying the Convention must establish services such as hotlines, shelters, medical services, counselling and legal aid.

The Secretary of State shall lay an annual report (no later than 17 November each year) before each House of Parliament setting out the steps and timescale required to be taken to enable the UK to ratify the Istanbul Convention.

When the Secretary of State has determined that the UK is compliant with the Istanbul Convention, the Secretary of State shall make a statement to each House of Parliament of the determination and the date by which the Secretary of State would expect the Convention to be ratified.

Click here to read about the Istanbul Convention.Domestic Violence: Law and Practice is a comprehensive practitioner’s guide to dealing with cases involving personal protection, harassment and domestic violence. Now in its sixth edition, it takes account of recent case-law and provides analysis of all the important procedural development. The extensive text is supplemented by appendices containing key forms, precedents and legislation.